Northampton Makes History With First Recreational Pot Sales East Of The Mississippi

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Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz makes the first purchase at NETA from co-owner Arnon Vered on Tuesday. Photo by Alden Bourne for NEPR

There’s no shortage of people eager to be part of history in Northampton, Massachusetts this week — or at least get their hands on some killer buds.

A line of about 400 people snaked around the New England Treatment Access building early Tuesday morning as it became the first place east of the Mississippi where people over 21 can legally buy recreational marijuana.

It’s been more than two years since Massachusetts voters approved recreational pot sales.

Among the patrons in line Tuesday was Roger Crocker, who lives in West Haven, Connecticut. He’s a retired truck driver and Vietnam veteran. He says he drove two and a half hours and was fifth in line when he arrived at 3:30 a.m.

“Yeah, I’ve been waiting 38 years for this,” Crocker said. “I’m happy that they’re finally waking up, and doing what people did behind closed doors. This is a good thing. It should’ve been before this.”